For years, social media has heavily influenced the music industry, and it became even more prevalent when the pandemic hit in 2020. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are an important tool for artists because it allows them to share their work on a global scale, for free. Like music, social media plays an important role in people’s lives by forging connections through shared interests. Addison Rae, a TikTok influencer, and Ice Spice, whose music became popular on TikTok, are prime examples of artists who used their online presence to grow their audience. American singer-songwriter, Shane Boose, or Sombr, is doing the same and has flooded the for-you pages of social media users across the world.
Sombr, aged 20, launched his music career in Oct. 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He grew up in New York and attended the LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, where he was a vocal major. In March 2024, he released his single, “Undressed,” which was an instant hit on TikTok, along with his previous single “back to friends.” Sombr is known for his relatable lyrics and catchy beats, but some people consider him “unoriginal” because of his popular style. However, he’s not just popular for his music, but also for his social media content which appeals to a younger audience. In most of his videos, Sombr is known to use “brain rot” jokes that are usually found entertaining by children or teenagers. He appears to be aware that most of his audience consists of young teenage girls, so he uses that to his advantage to get more engagement.
“Some people idolize artists like Sombr because the majority of [them] are confident, so I feel like image is a very big part of music,” said Lillian Seif, a junior at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS).
The music industry has started to focus on image rather than actual quality content. It’s all about getting famous rather than putting out quality music. Nowadays, artists conform to a certain standard and aesthetic to appeal to a majority of people. Everyone chases the dream to be a well known artist in the music industry, but that doesn’t always mean something positive. Popular music can be surface-level and basic because when pop songs sound the same, it ruins the image of new and unique music.
Johanna Panlilio, a junior at Ridgeline High School said, “Everyone [has] the same lyrics in their songs and [they’re] basic.”
The thing is, Sombr didn’t always have a “basic” sound. His older music like the song “fine,” released in 2022, was slow and calming but now, he’s shifted to a sound more similar to “The 1975’s.” The 1975’s are a popular alternative-indie band known for their songs “Somebody Else” and “About You,” that can be found in thousands of edits on social media. When this change happened to Sombrs music in 2024, he became a sensation in the music industry. This shift in genre or public presentation shows how important it is to conform to a certain sound and aesthetic to attract an audience.
Shiloh Casey, a sophomore at HBHS said, “I listened to his older music because it was really somber and chill, but the way he presents himself musically definitely changed a lot and it’s not [the same] anymore.”
Whether or not Sombr will continue to develop his music career in this frankly immature way is still a mystery. There’s no denying the fact that the future for Sombr’s fame may be endangered considering the tactics he uses to promote his material.
